So it’s February 2024 already and I’ve only now got around to compiling my lists of 2023 musical highlights. The Barman has given me a late pass.
I’ve got two lists here and I’ve stuck with the age-old format of Top Ten albums and Top Ten EPs/ singles. And of course, these lists come with a disclaimer that there’s still plenty of great 2023 records that I haven’t got around to hearing yet, so of course my lists only cover the stuff that’s found its way to my ears.
2023 ALBUMS:
- EXBATS – SONG MACHINE
Fourth album for Tucson, Arizona father/ daughter combo of Kenny and Inez McCLain plus supporting musicians. They’ve progressively embraced a broad scope of influences to the point that this record is a glorious 60’s pop, 70’s singer-songwriter, country and garage rock & roll gem.
- RMFC – CLUB HITS
A clutch of EPs and singles across the last six years gave notice that Buz Clatworthy was onto something special. Buz hails from Ulladulla in southern NSW and it was there that the nucleus of the band and the first of RMFC’s records came into being. Word spreads fast in these inter-web days and pretty quickly his take on post punk was being heralded across the planet. He’s taken his time, but good things are worth waiting for and so it is with this debut album. Driven by propulsive rhythms and wired guitar plus Buz’s distinctive vocals this is a knockout record.
- JUNIPER – SHE STEALS CANDY
Juniper’s second album sees her produce a smorgasbord of low-key melodic gems. She has a stellar musical support cast and the track list includes well-chosen covers, songs written specifically for her by others, and some originals. Juniper delivers the suite of songs with her plaintive, sincere vocals which evoke some ‘60s girl groups to my ears. Ear-worms galore.
- CLASS – IF YOU’VE GOT NOTHING
Class are another great band from Tucson, Arizona that have only been around for a few years but in that time have released three EPs and two full-length albums all of which are chock full of top-notch guitar rock with ample melodic bounce. I reckon this album is their best release to date.
- TITO RAMIREZ – EL PRINCE
A mysterious masked man out of Spain has released this funky, rhythm & blues and garage rock influenced killer!
- CIVIC – TAKEN BY FORCE
Civic’s second album was produced by Rob Younger and is another fabulous and frantic outing which only adds to their growing reputation as one of our best bands. While local influences can be spotted across a number of the tracks, Jim McCullough’s songwriting and the band’s delivery is top notch throughout.
- TEE VEE REPAIMANN – WHAT’S ON TV?
Ishka Edmeades is Sydney’s king of lo-fi contemporary garage trash and pop. He is active in Gee Tee, Satanic Togas, Set-Top Box, Tee Vee Repairmann and possibly more. The Tee Vee Repairmann album whilst still raw and rocking, also has more of a melodic bent to it and features a bunch of great tracks.
- CODA CHROMA – DREAMSELF
Kate Lucas (aka Coda Chroma) and band released album #3 and I believe it to be her best to date. A wondrous collection of emotive, melancholic and ethereal songs topped by amazing vocals from Kate.
- BBQT – DANGEROUS DAME
BBQT is led by Gabbie Bam Bam from Baltimore in the US. This is their second album. It’s fabulous tough street-wise rock & roll from the get go. BBQT’s equally great first album had a glam-punk feel to it while this one is more straight ahead rocking.
- LEMON TWIGS – EVERYTHING HARMONY
NYC’s Lemon Twigs 4th album is a bliss-bomb of Beach Boys, Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel influenced tracks which are immaculately delivered and reveal more nuances on repeated listens.
And more!
- ON & ONS – LET YA HAIR DOWN!
- IAN KAY – WALK THAT ROAD AGAIN
- UNKNOWNS – EAST COAST LOW
- UNI BOYS – BUY THIS NOW!
- ANGEL FACE – ANGEL FACE
- WHIFFS – SCRATCH ‘N’ SNIFF
- GEE TEE – GOODNIGHT NEANDERTHAL
- GEOFF PALMER – AN OTHERWISE NEGATIVE SITUATION
2023 SINGLES/ EPs
- HIGHMARTS – HOLD ME
The Highmarts from Japan are led by ace singer, songwriter, guitarist Suzu Kawane. Though hardly prolific, they’ve released a CD, four terrific singles and a compilation album (of their singles and recent demos) across the past eight years. Hold Me is an incredible guitar pop song which thrills on every listen.
- THE PRIZE – FIRST SIGHT
Power pop done right! Following up the best EP released in 2022 (their first release) with this knockout gem of a single is Melbourne’s The Prize. Their debut album, which is due later this year, is my most eagerly anticipated release of 2024. Catch them live next whenever you can!
- STEF & THE SLEEVEENS – GIVE MY REGARDS TO THE DANCING GIRLS
This single really swings. Strong 70’s pub rock/ punk influences prevail. Great vocals by Irishman Stefan Murphyand the Sleeveens really kick this single along nicely. Debut album due now!
- SICK THOUGHTS – BORN TO BLITZKRIEG
Sick Thoughts is essentially Drew Owen from Baltimore in the US. This EP may be my favourite of his records to date. Purist fans may revel in his earlier rawer stuff but these songs are all riff driven killers.
- BILLY TIBBALS – STAY TEENAGE
Power pop done right (part 2)! Billy is a British expatriate residing in LA and after releasing a fantastic debut 45 in 2022 he followed it up with this fabulous EP which hosts six hook filled winners.
- IT THING – CONSTANT STATE
Originally from Hobart and now based in Melbourne, It Thing released a great first album in 2022 and in 2023 dropped this single. High energy, rapid pace and frenzied vocals across both sides of this one.
- KURT BAKER – ANCHORS UP
Kurt Baker has been consistently releasing excellent rocking guitar pop songs for well over a decade. This latest single from his album “Rock & Roll Club” is surely among his best.
- DOLLSQUAD – TIKI LIFESTYLE
Joey Bedlam and Dollsquad resurfaced in 2023 with this incredibly fun and swinging new single. Hopefully more to come!
- KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW – GOING DOWN
It’s been quite a while since there’s been any new music from King Khan & BBQ Show. This single picks up where they left off with a great BBQ sung doo-wop track on the A-side and a groovy King Khan warbler on the flip.
- LEATHERMAN – TELEPHONE
Couple of ace tough rocking pop songs on this Melbourne band’s first record.
And still more!
- ITCHY & THE NITS – EP
- ANGEL FACE – I CAN’T GO BACK
- APE-ETTES – EP
- SATANIC TOGAS – YOUR CHOICE
- LIQUORICE EXPERIMENT – NOVICE PRETENDER
- TAXI GIRLS – COMING UP ROSES
- VARONAS – AHORA MEJOR
- TJ CABOT – S’COOL DAYS
Ross Nelson hosts the Sonic Stew program weekly on Mondays at 7pm on 2RRR-FM in Sydney.
